Game Grades - Raiders at Panthers

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The Panthers have won three games in a row for the first time since 2009. The feeling is good even if it doesn't mean much. On with the grades..

Offense:

Generally the offense put up an acceptable performance. 17 points isn't awful, but in this day and age of the NFL it isn't good either. It is enough to win provided you have a top notch defense.

Cam Newton continues to impress with a solid performance. Greg Olsen is close to breaking Wesley Walls record for a receiving tight end for the Panthers.

The Panthers did take a step back yesterday, however, with numerous failed read options leaving Deangelo Williams at a loss. When will they stop running this play? We were calling for it to end after week 3.

Offensive Grade: B

Defense:

Luke Kuechly is the best defensive player the Panthers have ever drafted. Thats right, I said it. Better than Peppers. Better than Morgan. Better than Beason. Luke has every physical and intangible attribute you could ever want in a linebacker.

At one point in the game he took control and adjusted DE Mario Addison a bit, moving him to a new gap. The result? Addison made the tackle.

The defense gave up 6 points to a NFL team. Even with a backup QB, it is still an accomplishment.

Defensive Grade: A

Coaching:

If the Panthers can win on Sunday against the Saints, I believe Rivera will keep his job. That is not to say everyone on the coaching staff is safe, however.

A new GM will have the ability to assess the entire coaching staff and make adjustments as he sees fit. Rivera has lost the right to choose his own staff after two losing seasons and the firing of a coordinator mid season.

Fans of defensive football probably are enticed about the prospect of Rivera returning. By way the defense has played with mainly backups in the secondary, just imaging the prospects of the addition of higher caliber players through a new GM puts a smile on our face.

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FYI, according to the Observer, Luke surpassed Walls' TE record yesterday...I also believe RR gets another crack at it next year, and as much as it might go against the belligerent, bruised part of me that hates the hell this season has been, there's also a more reasonable and optimistic part of me that says he has earned one more season. And you're right, Zod, Luke may be the best complete defensive package we've ever had - and that is not a slight on guys like Kevin Greene, Morgan, or Beast. Rather, it is a yardstick that shows just how good this kid is. I am SALIVATING to think of Luke in the middle, Beast and TD on the outside next year! Give Cam some decent tools and protection, and we're going to make a statement in 2013.

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Imma give an A to the DB's. Pash rush not as good this week but the scrub group showed out. DJ and Godfrey appear to be working well together.

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Tom Cat

Guests

Posted 24 Dec 2012

Luke Kuechly is the best defensive player the Panthers have ever drafted. Thats right, I said it. Better than Peppers. Better than Morgan. Better than Beason. Luke has every physical and intangible attribute you could ever want in a linebacker.

At one point in the game he took control and adjusted DE Mario Addison a bit, moving him to a new gap. The result? Addison made the tackle.

Kuechly is a once in a lifetime defensive player and we have him. I am most impressed with his football smarts and leadership, not his outstanding physicality on the field.

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Fans of defensive football probably are enticed about the prospect of Rivera returning. By way the defense has played with mainly backups in the secondary, just imaging the prospects of the addition of higher caliber players through a new GM puts a smile on our face.

With the way guys like Thomas and DJ Campbell have played, I'm not sure replacing them should be a high priority. This gives us the flexibility to beef up our o-line in the draft and free agency, and maybe upgrade at WR #2.

Of course if a great CB or S is available at our pick and they are BPA, then yeah, grab them.

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I am up in the air about RR, but if you remember in San Diego they were consistently one of the top defenses with a bunch of players most haven't heard of. I wonder if he is starting to accomplish the same thing in Carolina or is this just a team winning meaningless games (again).

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The Panthers have won three games in a row for the first time since 2009. The feeling is good even if it doesn't mean much. On with the grades..

Offense:

Generally the offense put up an acceptable performance. 17 points isn't awful, but in this day and age of the NFL it isn't good either. It is enough to win provided you have a top notch defense.

Cam Newton continues to impress with a solid performance. Greg Olsen is close to breaking Wesley Walls record for a receiving tight end for the Panthers.

The Panthers did take a step back yesterday, however, with numerous failed read options leaving Deangelo Williams at a loss. When will they stop running this play? We were calling for it to end after week 3.

Offensive Grade: B

Defense:

Luke Kuechly is the best defensive player the Panthers have ever drafted. Thats right, I said it. Better than Peppers. Better than Morgan. Better than Beason. Luke has every physical and intangible attribute you could ever want in a linebacker.

At one point in the game he took control and adjusted DE Mario Addison a bit, moving him to a new gap. The result? Addison made the tackle.

The defense gave up 6 points to a NFL team. Even with a backup QB, it is still an accomplishment.

Defensive Grade: A

Coaching:

If the Panthers can win on Sunday against the Saints, I believe Rivera will keep his job. That is not to say everyone on the coaching staff is safe, however.

A new GM will have the ability to assess the entire coaching staff and make adjustments as he sees fit. Rivera has lost the right to choose his own staff after two losing seasons and the firing of a coordinator mid season.

Fans of defensive football probably are enticed about the prospect of Rivera returning. By way the defense has played with mainly backups in the secondary, just imaging the prospects of the addition of higher caliber players through a new GM puts a smile on our face.

Coaching Grade: A

I agree with you 100% about the defense. After a season where the offense had to put up ridiculous numbers just to keep the team from losing, thanks to a defense that was like a sifter, it was/ is great to see them making positive strides.

But what I'm more impressed with is the over all team's maturity. Last season, and even in the earlier part of this season, this team struggled with holding it together. Any little thing cause this team to squander a lead or give up all together. This time around, and it's still a work in progress, I see a team playing with both maturity and confidence. This team never lacked confidence but they lacked maturity and discipline and it showed. When the team struggled with silly Ref calls and decision making, in the past, that used to spell doom for the team. Yesterday, it was cool to see the offense struggle a bit and the rest of the team step up and help them hold unto the lead by doing their part..

This season was clearly a slow start for this team but they're closing strong. I hope they do take the last game and use their string of wins to continue building and growing as a team. I also hope that this team find it's stride next season and learn to control the tempo of every game instead of allowing the opposing team to control it for them.

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Zod I was wondering if anyone caught Luke getting Addison the line up right. Smart kid. He out him in the right place to make a play. Our lb core is going to be set. I like what I am seeing from the defense. These young guys seen hungry to play. This offseason will be interesting